? about Time Outs

I am going to be starting Time Outs in a couple of weeks. My girls are pretty good for the most part...so far. I thought that I should just start out with 3 behaviors that would be considered Time Out worthy. One of them is when they hurt each other (or me or dh or another child), when they are doing something dangerous that they "know" they shouldn't be doing and is not allowed (standing on the couch). I'm not sure what else I should consider time out worthy so I was just wondering what behaviors you started to really discipline with either time outs or 123 magic or any other behavior management method.

Also, I was thinking of starting time outs in the pack n play until they get the concept that they are being "punished" for their unacceptable behavior and then move them to a mat, or a designated time out area. Does this sound ok?

Also, any advice on what worked for you or what didn't regarding time outs would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

When we first started Time Outs, it was in the PNP downstairs and crib upstairs. I just this past week moved it to a spot instead of a contained thing, and it's going well. When I first started TO, it was because they were doing something totally unacceptable and needed to be stopped, and would not stop simply by me saying no, like in your examples. I don't know if I had a third category. Then I started doing 1-2-3 Magic, so any time I get to 3, they get a TO. It doesn't matter how trivial it is, the point is that they are not listening and doing what they should.

 

I'm a 1-2-3 magic follower too. The reasons my guys get time outs is for STOP behaviors. Anything I need/want them to stop. (Yours probably won't get it for a while, but it's good to remove them from the action for a little bit during a difficult time!)

 

My pediatrician told us about the time out towel. You lay down a hand towel on the floor and that is where they sit. I thought it was crazy at first. My husband thought it was a genious idea and ran out to linens and things and two new towels. They actually sit on it. I was shocked! I use it for behaviors like you describe such as hurting anyone and standing on the couch. You can even take the towel with you when you travel as well.
Good luck!
jena

 

QUOTE(jena4 @ Oct 18 2007, 03:58 PM) [snapback]456824[/snapback]
My pediatrician told us about the time out towel. You lay down a hand towel on the floor and that is where they sit. I thought it was crazy at first. My husband thought it was a genious idea and ran out to linens and things and two new towels. They actually sit on it. I was shocked! I use it for behaviors like you describe such as hurting anyone and standing on the couch. You can even take the towel with you when you travel as well.
Good luck!
jena


That is a brilliant idea but how did you keep them there? I know it's only a minute and a half time out at this point but I'm not sure they will understand. Maybe I need to give them more credit than I do but you know how selective understanding can be . I really like the idea that you could just throw the towel in the diaper bag or suitcase when you travel.

 

Totally depends on the children. Ours (luckily) are pretty mindful, so typically timeout meant "We asked you, and you didn't do it".

Cause for immediate TO was usually left to things like hitting each other.

 

I have started a mini-time-out and am thinking of buying 1-2-3 Magic since it is raved about on here.

What I do when I feel it is necessary (which at this point is not even daily), is remove the child to the next room and sit them on their bottom and say "Time out....No, such and such". If they move (usually) I put them back a couple times and by that point they are hugging my leg and upset so I "explain " why we don't do such and such.